The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), has disclosed that it will mark a “National Day” in Dubai as part of its efforts to increase investment and generate more foreign revenue for the country.
Mr Yofi Grant, the Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, noted that the weeklong event will be used as a springboard to market opportunities in Ghana’s manufacturing, health, tourism, agriculture and energy sectors to investors across the globe. Dubbed ‘the Ghana Investment Week,’ it will also be used to showcase other investment avenues available for investors to leverage on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The President of the republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, together with key government officials and major private industry players are expected to grace the event. The event will explore areas for collaboration and to deepen economic ties with prospective investors. Other officials include: Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen and UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
Available data from GIPC show that the country has $874.01 million worth of investments from 122 projects for the first half of 2021, comprising of US$829.29 million Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and US$44.72 million local investment. The FDI amount represents an increase of 32.15 per cent compared to US$ 627.52 million recorded in the same period last year, 2021.
The Event Programme Outline
Mr Yofi Grant, the Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, indicated that the event would offer an opportunity for Ghana to engage another set of businesspeople looking forward to investing in the country.
“We’re not just looking at Ghana focused investors, but investors who have interest in Africa and can use Ghana as a launch pad into the region.”
Yofi Grant
Mr Grant noted that there will be a host of events on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, with the aim of exhibiting the country’s business offers, and to cement its position as a top destination for investment in Africa.
“The activities will include: an official EXPO 2020 Flag Raising Ceremony and Luncheon at Al Wasl Plaza, and a Presidential Cocktail Event at Address Downtown, 7th Floor Club Lounge Terrace. This will be followed by a flag lighting ceremony of Burj Khalifa, then a Ghana Colours Concert and Fashion show at Downtown Dubai.”
Yofi Grant
The GIPC CEO averred that on March 9, there will be a Presidential Breakfast Roundtable which would be followed by a Ghana Business Forum at the Jafza One Convention Center for stakeholders to explore viable investment opportunities.
From March 10, the celebration will continue with Presidential engagements, ministerial meetings, a ‘Business Connect’ event, as well as site visits. Mr Grant explained the decision to infuse the celebration into the Dubai Expo. He mentioned that Ghana has been participating in the Dubai Expo for some time now and he expressed his excitement that Ghana is part of the ongoing event which will end on March 31, 2022.
The country’s participation in the expo has been guided by its sub-theme “limitless opportunities,” in the promotion of creativity, and exhibition of huge investment prospects in critical sectors of the Ghanaian economy. The expo has provided opportunities for people all around the world to connect and experience the best of art, culture, geography, science, technology, innovation and invention.
President Akufo-Addo, at the inauguration of the GIPC Board in November last year, 2021 charged the members to continue to encourage, promote and facilitate investments, domestic and foreign into Ghana.
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